Maman Brigitte
Haitian Vodou
Loa of Death, Cemeteries, Healing, and Fertility
Protector of Cemetery Graves
Maman Brigitte is Baron Samedi’s consort and shares personality traits similar to those of her lover. Although she is a fierce protector of women, she glamorizes her sexuality and is a renowned healer. Oftentimes, followers call upon her when seeking justice against those who wrong women or children.
Maman Brigitte and Baron Samedi rule over the Ghede Loas together. She is responsible for guarding cemeteries, particularly the graves of women. In addition, Maman Brigitte aids those who seek her help in times of severe sickness.
If she cannot heal the afflicted, Maman Brigitte will guide the souls through the Vilokan (the spirit realm of the loa) to give them final rest. Those afflicted with sexually transmitted diseases often pray to this loa also for healing.
Attributes of Maman Brigitte
Maman Brigitte is a powerful healer for those in need. However, she also has a crude sense of humor and uses vulgar language. Furthermore, she has a strong sense of justice, often punishing those who engage in domestic violence, infidelity, childbirth, or other violence against women and children.
Her affinity for pepper-infused rum symbolizes her spicy and fierce personality. She also guards gravestones within the cemeteries if they are properly marked with a cross. While Maman Brigitte primarily guards cemeteries, she is also the loa of fertility and childbirth.
The sisal pepper-infused rum typically consists of Haitian rum infused with 21 peppers. This rum is said to be so spicy that mortals cannot even taste the flavor of the rum.
Despite her crude and fierce persona, she is also known for her compassion. This particularly extends to vulnerable women and those facing illness. In addition, although she displays crude behavior, Maman Brigitte demands respect and sincerity from those who summon her.
Maman Brigitte’s Appearance
Unlike the other loa that originate from West African Vodun, Maman Brigitte originates from Irish indentured servants in Haiti. She has pale skin and red hair and takes after Brigid, a deity of fertility, healing, prophecy, and poetry in Celtic mythology.
She often dresses in sexualized attire and typically prefers the colors black and purple. Her crude behavior and language match that of her husband, Baron Samedi. Often known to dance in a sexual nature, Maman Brigitte also has a vulgar tongue and is known to play pranks on her husband by hiding his cane and other belongings.
Much like her husband, Maman Brigitte is often seen smoking, drinking, making debaucherous jokes, and dancing in a sexual manner.
Offerings
To appease this loa and gain her favor, followers make offerings of the following items:
- Candles, black or purple
- Black roosters
- Pepper-infused rum
- Coffee
- Flowers
- Crosses
Other offerings to this loa include spicy foods, colorful floral items or flowers, tobacco, and other alcoholic spirits. In order to summon Maman Brigitte to ask for favors, followers must place offerings on an altar before beginning a summoning ritual.
Symbols
Maman Brigitte’s veve is often a heart with a cross through it. Sometimes, a rooster is depicted on this veve as well. The symbol most commonly associated with this loa is a black rooster. However, her signature pepper-infused rum, crosses, and horses are also commonly used symbols.
She often wears crosses, especially Baron Samedi’s cross. Her signature colors are purple and black. However, she is sometimes known to wear red and white as well.
Rituals for Maman Brigitte
When summoning this loa, followers will light black or purple candles on an altar. Atop this, offerings of pepper-infused rum, coffee, or marigolds. Next, the follower will place a cross on the altar.
A common practice in Haiti also includes placing medical supplies on the altar if asking for healing. Band-aids, aspirin, or other medicines are also common offerings for this loa.
After the altar has been prepared, a follower begins the ritual by lighting the candles and saying a prayer to the loa.
Celebrations for the Ghede Loa often occur on November 2nd, All Soul’s Day. This is no exception for Maman Brigitte. Additionally, February 1st coincides with the Feast of Saint Brigid of Kildare. Followers often worship Maman Brigitte on this day as well.